There are more than ten 2011 SUV models with U.S. starting manufacturer’s suggested retail prices below $22,000. The cheapest 2011 SUV is the Jeep Patriot with a manufacturers suggested retail price (“MSRP”) of $15,995. At this price, the Patriot has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, 158 horsepower engine with a five speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. The Patriot comes standard with MP3 player, traction control, and stability control.

Prices vary based on your location and dealer and does not include destination charges and taxes. Some dealers also add price markups above the MSRP. Sales taxes can be a significant factor when purchasing a new vehicle. For example, in Washington state some counties have a sales tax rate of nearly 10%, which would add $2,000 to the price of a $20,000 vehicle. Invoice prices for these models are typically between $200 to $800 under its starting MSRP. A base trim with all-wheel drive typically costs about $2,000 more than a comparable front-wheel drive trim.

All of these models come standard with front-wheel drive, four-cylinder engines, electronic stability control, and traction control. The Kia Sorento, which is among the top 10 cheapest 2011 SUVs, offers a 3.5-liter 270 horsepower V-6 option that starts at $25,395. The Sorento represents a good value in that is a midsize SUV priced lower than some compact models. It has 37 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row of seats, 72.5 cubic feet with the second row seats folded flat, and offers third-row seating.

The cheapest 2011 SUV with a V-6 is the Dodge Nitro with an MSRP of $22,245. However, the Nitro’s 3.7-liter 210 horsepower engine is inefficient with estimated EPA mileage of 16-mpg city and 21-mpg highway. Dodge will offer the more powerful and fuel efficient Pentastar V-6 engine in the Nitro for the 2012 model year.

The Nissan JUKE is the quickest and most powerful model on the list as it comes standard with a 1.6-liter, 188-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The JUKE is also the most fuel-efficient model on the list with an EPA estimated 27-mpg city and 32-mpg highway. It offers a six-speed manual transmission in base form with an optional continuously variable transmission. The Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, which are built on the same platform, each offer a 2.4-liter 176 horsepower engine.

The JUKE is by far the smallest of the models on the list offering the least cargo and passenger room. The JUKE actually has less cargo room than Nissan’s subcompact Versa hatchback. The Hyundai Tucson offers the most cargo room among the top 5 cheapest 2011 SUV models at 55.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

The Jeep Compass and Suzuki SX4 Crossover were not included in this list of cheapest 2011 SUV models as there is some dispute over whether they are truly SUVs. Their starting manufacturers suggested retail prices are $15,365 and $16,499, respectively. Some may also question whether the JUKE is an SUV as its cargo room is smaller than the subcompact Nissan Venza hatchback.